On December 10, 2016, we loaded up two vans with 33 participants — our biggest field trip yet — and traveled to Nyjah‘s private skateboarding facility in San Clemente. Joined by kids from Elemental Awareness and Bridget To Skate Skate, our team spent the afternoon shredding the warehouse park, learning new tricks, and making friends, just as skaters do. The Huston’s treated us to pizza lunch, games, and presents, delivered by Nyjah Claus, himself. One by one, a skateboard deck from under the Christmas tree was given to each child to take home. Nothing like fresh wood to get a skater excited.

For seven years, Next Up Foundation has existed to serve our youth, and our success depends on the generosity of people who believe in the power of skateboarding. Thank you, Nyjah, for giving your time, attention, and encouragement, for being a mentor and role model to kids who dream of being in your shoes one day. Thank you to Kellie Huston and all the sponsors that made this event possible. Thank you to our volunteers, the backbone of our organization. Thank you to the kids for giving us a reason to come together. And most importantly, thank you, skateboarding! Happy holidays, everyone. Be safe, and skate hard.